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the common denominator of greatness is playing games.

I remember the hype coming out of duke, how teams were tanking for him, the “generational” talent/prospect talks.

Eh, there are three types of red flag that fans typically discount: being undersized, injury prone or a bad shooter. Zion is a good shooter but he ticks the other two boxes and that's enough to stop me from ever getting on the hype train.

Definitely a top ten player and more than likely a top 5 player by now.

And that's completely true IF you ignore those above red flags.

I legit remember several Who would you rather have going forward Luka or Zion threads.

Luka doesn't have the red flags that Zion does.

Makes you appreciate the hype Lebron had and how exceed any and all expectations

There's been a big revisionist history on Zion especially with the Wemby hype. People saying "Wemby is the most hyped prospect since Lebron, haven't seen a more generational prospect in decades." People forget, Zion had the same hype too, Obama went to one of his Duke games, Rachel Nichols tried to start a "ZION ZION ZION" chant during the draft lottery. NBA gave the Pelicans of all teams so many prime time games. He was so hyped, yet he faded away.

He’s a fantastic player when he’s on the court. complete game changer. just not on the court much

New Hype, people realizing Zion isn't a "generational" talent. I mean really, the conversation surrounding Zion being a "generational" talent was not at all based on his skill level, it was based on his athleticism. He's very one dimensional, in the fact that the only exciting play he normally has is bully balling his way into the paint. You compare that with the hype of two seven foot 5+ players battling from the paint to the perimeter, Zion easily becomes an afterthought.

It's not as exciting to see the same thing night after night when you have players who encompass all areas of skill, as opposed to just one area. How many times can Zion smash around down low and dunk the ball before it just becomes regular Zion, and rarely if ever exciting anymore? Don't get me wrong, it's amazing what he has done in terms of strength, but it's not exactly new, and gets old quick.

Not paying will do that for you

Damn there’s a reality where Zion is the answer to Wemby. Cause Wemby got him on range and finesse, but Zion would body Wemby man on man.

But instead we got the Zion that bodies pornstar’s and popeye’s.

He seems to not care a whole lot about basketball, which is fine. Like it’s just something he’s always been the best at and something he just does as his “job” but really probably enjoys other things more

Injuries are bad for the mental and not all NBA players love basketball. To me, it felt like Zion was coasting on his natural abilities more than anything.

He should try pickleball.

Speak for yourself. I actively seek out Pelicans games to watch him and so do plenty of people I know.

He's yesterdays news

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The current hot topic is 7 foot string beans

stuck in NO, can't stay on the court, team hasn't been any good since 2021, discouraging attitude and health signs

I love him and think he's still got a lot of potential if one of those changes but the situation right now is both not good basketball and not even fun drama.

I remember seriously getting downvoted for saying that his weight was going to be a problem because he’s a dude that makes a living jumping. That’s just an obvious area for concern.

As soon as I saw Duke struggle with Tacko Fall in the tourney I knew Zion, Barrett and Cam were all going to be massive busts. Role player is the ceiling for each of them.

We’re only 10 games into the season, relax

Tbh, i think this is the best thing for him. Just lowkey get this shit together and start playing whole seasons

Crazy how even though he’s on the court he’s the least talked about of that Duke Big 3. Cam Reddish has the Lakers/LeBron James media boost and RJ is averaging 23 on good efficiency for the Knicks this year. Even though he’s healthy he’s just… being forgotten

He is pretty unlikeable and can’t stay on the court. He thinks he is still relevant but he isn’t, so much talent just down the drain due to ego.

What is this thread? Dude is in his fourth year after missing a lot of time, and he still looks incredibly dominant. I just watched his games against the Rockets and Mavs, and he's getting to the rim at will and finishing at an elite level. There were times against the Rockets where I realized how dangerous the Pels can be when fully healthy.

I sure hope he comes back on top but with his recent comment about "buying in", he is a clown. He needs to prove himself first, guy hasnt done anything but sign a big contract.

The kid had a Jordan sig during his rookie year. That's pretty nuts.

Never bought into the hype tbh. Bro cant shoot

Only crazy if you bought the hype. I expected him to become an afterthought tbh.

Don’t play, fade away

He exists on an Anthony Bennett-Charles Barkley spectrum. Like the Ankiel-o-meter from SI.

I just remember getting hyped he might play for the gamecocks coming out of Highschool and he just ditched us, so who cares.

I said from the beginning he was never going to pan out. He's just too big and explosive to be a long term threat. They were idiotic to give him a high contract, especially after his early injury issues.

Imagine thinking about zion at a time like this.

Well he plays like 20 games per year. What else do you expect?

I feel so vindicated in saying that it was Luka who was up next and not Zion. I was not on the Zion hype train at all. While Luka continues to improve each year, Zion just gets injured and fat.

Plus, Wemby is gonna be the guy to join that elite next generation not zion

I never understood the Zion hype, legit never once understood it

That ESPN/Duke connection. Remember when his shoe busted open? Was a story for a week.